Women Gauchos Dominate Season Opener, Def. NAU 5-2

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.
– The Gaucho women start off the new season strong, finishing
their first match with a 5-2 win over Northern Arizona
University.

The women showed how hard
they have been working this season as they started out strong
against Northern Arizona University with a 5-2 win.

A great feeling for Coach
Simon Thibodeau, as his first matches as head coach of the Gauchos
ends in a victory. “I am very proud of the team today.
They trained and prepared well.”

The Gauchos started off on
a winning foot, as they swept all three doubles matches earning
that crucial doubles point.

This gave the women a bit
more confidence as they entered their singles matches, knowing that
an early victory was attainable.

Priscila Garcia at the
number 4 position, started off the Gauchos with their first singles
win of the season against her opponent, Malia Wahinepio 6-0,
6-4.

Keeping the winning streak
going April Scatliffe, Kiersten Meehan, and Stacy Yam all took home
a singles victory as well shortly after. The women really
showed their NAU opponents what a deep team they have.
“What’s great about the girls is that they are all very
competitive, and there is no large gap in capabilities. I could put
my number one player at 6 and my number 6 player at 1 and still
feel confident in the lineup” Coach Thibodeau
remarks.

Senior Erica Cano had a
tough match at the number 5 position, falling to opponent Alice
Pacaut in a ten point tie-breaker in the third. Cano started out
strong, taking the first set 6-4, but ended up losing the next set
2-6 and ended the match out 6-4, 2-6 (9-11).

Coach Thibodeau said of the
Gauchos “It’s been a while since we have competed, we
were all a little nervous. It is nice to have the first win and get
confidence for tomorrow.”

Tomorrow the Gaucho Women
will face off against San Jose State University at 12:00 pm at the
Rec Cen courts.